MOST IMPORTANT TIP: Don’t pick! This applies to ALL bumps. It’s never a good idea and can cause irreparable damage.
1. MILIA
These are skin colored bumps you see on your forehead, which become very noticeable as soon as you move your head and the sun or light hits; that’s Milia. Milia are small, bump-like cysts found under the skin. They are usually 1 to 2 millimeters in size. They form when skin flakes or keratin, a protein, becomes trapped under the skin. Milia most often appear on the face, commonly around the eyelids and cheeks, though they can occur anywhere.
How To Treat: What you can do is increase your exfoliation. Using a daily exfoliator that removes surface skin is a great start. You can also add a chemical exfoliator with retinol that will expedite cellular turnover and exfoliation to softer skin and help release the protein that is trapped under your skin.
Sonya’s Picks: Flash Facial and Retinu
2. ACNE
Acne starts to pop up when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It often causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples and usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.
Sonya always teaches her clients with acne to change out their face towel EVERY time they wash their skin. Wet or damp towels are the perfect breeding ground for breakout bacteria that can irritate skin and spread acne.
“The best thing to do is purchase a dozen inexpensive small face towels and toss them in the hamper after every use. I find that if you set your skin routine up for success, clear skin becomes much easier to achieve and maintain.” - Sonya Dakar.
How To Treat: Choose skincare treatments with ingredients that are proven to clear acne. Some of our favorite ingredients are salicylic acid and niacinamide which help decongest clogged pores and keep skin clear. If your skin is on the oilier side and it can handle an ingredient like benzoyl peroxide, this will kill microbes and dry up oil in the follicle.
Sonya’s Picks: Super Clear, Acne Zero, Blemish Buster
3. PERIORAL DERMATITIS
Periorificial dermatitis is a skin condition that causes clusters of small, itchy and sometimes sore red bumps on the face. You may also have developed small, red, pus-filled bumps and mild peeling of the skin around the mouth. The condition can also affect the skin around the nose, cheeks, and eyes. When the condition affects the lower half of the face it is usually the nose and around the mouth.
Triggers can be overuse of topical steroids, sun exposure (especially without spf protection), overheating, and harsh skincare products.
Many clients see patterns where it goes away but easily comes back again as soon as it's triggered. “Ironically many people are prescribed steroid creams to treat, but in my experience it always comes back shortly after and can even be worse.” - Sonya Dakar
Sonya’s Picks: Sensi Wash, Super Clear, Organic Omega Oil, Blue Butterfly Balm, Face Shield SPF30
4. ROSACEA
“
So many of my clients with Rosacea just thought they had sensitive skin or even acne. What they really are dealing with is Rosacea.” - Sonya Dakar
This chronic skin condition often leads to facial redness, visible blood vessels, bumps and very sensitive skin.
Rosacea skin skin gets easily irritated by sunlight, cold wind and harsh, irritating skin products. Skin can turn red and form small, temporary pink bumps and pustules that look like acne, but are actually bumps of inflammation on the forehead, nose and cheeks.
What To Do: Minimize exposure to triggers like direct sun, long hot showers, strong acids in facial products. Treat with soothing, redness-reducing ingredients to reduce sensitivity. Spot treat bumps with a spot treatment.
Sonya’s Picks: Sensi Wash, Blue Butterfly Balm, Organic Omega Oil, Blemish Buster
5. ALLERGIC REACTION
Those red bumps on your face may not be pimples, rather, an allergic reaction. Some skin products can clog pores and cause acne. If the bumps are red and itchy (think small little hives) chances are they are an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction could cause red bumps that may look similar to pimples, but they tend to itch and acne does not.
Triggers: It's hard to tell what you may be allergic to. Most common allergens are artificial fragrance and dyes.
Helpful Tips: Wash your face with cool water, pat (don’t rub) dry, stay out of the sun or direct light and apply gentle, soothing products with anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Sonya’s Picks: Sensi Wash, Organic Omega Oil, Blue Butterfly Balm
